• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.524-530
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• 2006

Two protease inhibitors of 67 and 18 kDa, respectively, were purified from the eggs of glass fish, Liparis tanakai, by affinity chromatography and electro-elution method. The high molecular weight (HMW) protein was purified with a specific inhibitory activity, yield, and purity of 18.46 U/mg, 0.07%, and 131.86 fold, respectively, and was further characterized: Optimal temperature and pH for inhibitory activity of the HMW glassfish egg protease inhibitor were $40^{\circ}C$ and pH 6, respectively, and it was stable between $5^{\circ}C\;and\;50^{\circ}C$ in the pH range of 5-6 with maximal stability at pH 6. It was shown to be a competitive inhibitor against papain with an inhibition constant $(K_i)$ of 97.02 nM. Moreover, the 67 kDa protein inhibited cathepsin, a cysteine protease, more effectively than did an egg-white protease inhibitor. The HMW glassfish egg protease inhibitor was classified as a member of the family III (kininogen).